Suddenly, French Girls Are All Using This Chic, Affordable Accessory to Elevate Their Winter Outfits
French women know a thing or two about small styling tricks that pack a punch. This season I've noticed how the way they wear coloured socks makes all the difference.
There are very few people I look at and think, yes, absolutely everything you wear is a yes. French girls, however, never miss. Every time. Lately, my social feeds have been quietly (and then not so quietly) taken over by one particular styling move they are all backing right now: bright coloured socks. I have seen red socks winning with ballet flats, green socks peeking out of chunky loafers, and then there was a pair of cobalt blue socks worn with the simplest brown shoes that honestly stopped me mid-scroll. Claire Most pulled it off so effortlessly that I immediately wanted to copy her entire outfit, right down to the socks. It feels playful, intentional and just a little unexpected, which is exactly why it works.
What I love most about the coloured sock trend is how low-commitment it is. This is not about going full dopamine dressing if that's not your thing. Socks are a basic layering piece, something we all already own, which makes them the perfect way to dip a toe into a trend without feeling like you are wearing a costume. A flash of colour at the ankle does all the work, especially when the rest of your outfit is classic: jeans, flats, a good coat. French influencers are proving that you don't need a head-to-toe statement to look considered. Sometimes it's just one small detail that makes the outfit feel current.
And the colours just keep coming. In the past week alone I've clocked burgundy, pistachio green, butter yellow and more shades of blue than I can count, which has me genuinely excited for spring. As we move into lighter layers and shorter hems, this shoe-and-sock combo is set to be a huge player. Below are the socks I've already bookmarked, inspired by the French girls doing it best.
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Humaa is the Junior Branded Content Editor at Who What Wear UK, specialising in trend-led beauty and fashion content. Previously an editor at Who What Wear US and British Vogue, she brings years of product-testing expertise. Off duty, she's working through her endless Kindle TBR.